In addition to your short sleeve technical shirt, you will receive 5 complimentary CambridgeSide parking vouchers, and a race bib with a timing chip + 2 beer coupons. 

Yes! We have no age restriction on registration. If your young ones are comfortable with the 3.1 miles, sign them up to run along with you.

After completing your registration, you will receive a confirmation email from RunSignUp.com. You can also search for your registration on the Find A Participant tab.

Yes! You can transfer your bib to another person. The person you are transferring the bib to will only have to pay a $20 transfer fee. Find out how here. The deadline to complete any transfer is 5/28/26 @ 11:59PM. 

Yes, but in the interest of safety for all participants, including your child, you will be asked to line up at the back.

You may wear headphones. We ask that you keep the volume at a reasonable level for your own safety and out of courtesy for fellow participants.

You must attend bib pickup during the time frames and location communicated in the bib number email you will receive on the Monday of race week.
Bib pickup will be available at the times listed below:
-Friday, 5/29/26: 4-7PM @ CanalSide Food + Drink, CambridgeSide, Cambirdge, MA
-Saturday, 5/30/26: 12-3PM @ CanalSide Food + Drink, CambridgeSide, Cambridge, MA
-Race morning (Sunday, 5/31/26) starting at 8:30 AM @ CanalSide Food + Drink, CambridgeSide, Cambridge, MA
We strongly suggest you pick up your gear on Friday & Saturday to avoid the lines on race day. 

Yes. They will need to know your bib number.

All race items must be picked up during bib pick up hours before the race. Swag will not be mailed under any circumstances. 

Yes. Our time limits are set to ensure runners are protected from traffic and have the support they need to finish. The 5K has a one-hour time limit. Runners of all abilities are invited to participate, provided they can finish the course within the time frame.

After crossing the finish line, you will receive a bottle of water & a banana. You will then proceed to the after party area where you can redeem your 2 tear-off beer tickets (included on your bib if you are over 21). The beer will be supplied by Zero Gravity & a DJ will play music! The MSPCA will also have animals available for adoption. 

There is a bag check is at CanalSide Food + Drink. You can drop your bag before you proceed to the start line. Do not leave valuables behind. All bags are subject to search by the City of Cambridge Police. Please remember to pick up your bag immediately after you finish running. Bag check closes at 11:00AM. 

It is our goal to ensure a safe event for all involved. We will not expose participants or the community to undue risk as a result of staging the event. The Cambridge 5K @ CambridgeSide will take place rain or shine. However, when weather or other physical conditions present a danger to participants, we maintain the right to cancel the race. Less threatening conditions could result in an alteration of the course or race length to ensure safety for all.

The Cambridge 5K @ CambridgeSide is timed utilizing Mylaps BibTag technology. Timing chips are on the back of the race numbers. You will get them at packet pick up. Results will be calculated based on net time.

All entries are final. There will be no refunds or deferrals. You can, however, transfer your bib to another person. 

You can create or join a team until the team deadline on Saturday, May, 30, 2026 @ 11:59PM. Here are the steps you can follow to make the change.

Yes. Take the MBTA Green Line to Lechmere.

The race benefits MSPCA & the Helen K. Holland Animal Care Trust Fund.

Portable toilets will be available in the starting area of the race throughout the event. There will be no restrooms on the course.

Volunteer registration will open on April 30, 2026. Click the VOLUNTEER tab to check out available volunteer spots. Volunteer registration closes when it is full or on Thursday, May 28, 2026, whichever comes first.

We recommend that you park at the CambridgeSide garage, accessible via CambridgeSide Place. You will recieve a parking ticket when you enter the garage. You will get a chaser ticket at bib pick up to cover the cost + 4 additional parking days. When you exit the garage, scan the ticket you got when entering the garage, then scan the ticket you got at bib pick up. 

There will be a water stop on the course at the halfway mark. Bottled water is also available at the finish line.